Michael Barry Clark, 69, passed away at his parents’ home in Boise, Idaho, on Nov. 3, after an intense battle with pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Mike, as he was known to many, or Mick, as he was called by family and close friends, was a source of laughter and generosity. A lifelong learner, he enjoyed traveling, music, good wine, delicious cuisine, and sharing laughter with others. He will be remembered for his deeply philosophical discussions, his understanding and acceptance of various beliefs and points of view, and his perpetual empathetic caretaking of others.
Mick was born August 20, 1948, the first child of Samuel Marvin Clark and Johnnie Mae Clark (Gibson), in Richmond, Calif. He grew up in Concord, Calif., and honorably served his country in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Squad Leader in the Vietnam War. For service to his country, he received the following honors: National Defense Service Medal, Marksman Badge (M-16), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and two Overseas Service Bars.
Mick attended San Jose City College in 1973 (AA), Boise State University in 1975 (BA) and 1985 (MA). It was at BSU while he was working on his BA that he met the love of his life, Pamela Joyce (Hansen); they were married in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, after spending the summer together on fire lookout in Northern Idaho. After moving to Buhl, Idaho, Mick coached football and taught art; it was there that Mick and Pam had their only child, April Shannon.
After completing their MAs at BSU, Mick and Pam moved to Kemmerer, where they lived and worked for the next 23 years. They both received PhDs in Adult Education from University of Wyoming in 2001, while Mick was working as the Executive Director of the Oyster Ridge Board of Cooperative Educational Services and as Adjunct Faculty at Western Wyoming Community College and University of Wyoming, from which he retired in 2008.
Throughout his life, Mick was a member of the Idaho Education Association, Buhl Education Association, Kemmerer School Board, Kemmerer Rotary Club (past president), Wyoming Lifelong Learning Association-Emeritus, Mountain Plains Adult Education Association-Emeritus, Association of Cooperative Educational Services (past president).
He received the following awards during his lifetime: Outstanding Educator Award (1980), Wyoming Lifelong Learning Association’s President’s Award (2005), Wyoming Governor’s Art Award for the Oyster Ridge Music Festival (2006), Wyoming Lifelong Learning Association’s Distinguished Service Award (2007), and Mountain Plains Adult Education Association’s Award of Excellence (2007).
Mick was a photographer, painter, sculptor, film analyst, educator, writer, leader, avid Democrat, musician, philosopher, spiritualist, and intellectual. He was a devoted son, loving husband, understanding father, proud grandfather, and cherished friend. One of his most honored accomplishments was being the founder of the nationally recognized Oyster Ridge Music Festival in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Mick is survived by his beloved wife, Pamela, of Garden City, Utah; parents Samuel and Johnnie Clark of Boise, Idaho; sister Cynthia (Clark) Samuelson of Declo, Idaho; nephew Sam Samuelson of Seattle, Washington; his daughter, April, and his granddaughter Syrenity Marie Clark Greenleaf, of Eugene, Oregon. Mick was interred at the Boise Veterans Cemetery. Per his request, there was no service. A donation to one of his favorite charities would be appreciated — Doctors Without Borders, American Red Cross, or a local food bank.
